Toggle navigation
Podiatrist in Alexandria and Sterling

Richard G. Lee, DPM
Steven H. Lin, DPM 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • blog
  • YouTube

Like Us On Facebook
Google Reviews

 

Alexandria, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
2843 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: (703) 823-2357  Fax: (703) 823-1572
Email: contactus@AlexandriaFamilyPodiatry.com


Sterling, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 106
Sterling, VA 20166
Phone: (703) 823-2357  Fax: (703) 823-1572

Email: contactus@AlexandriaFamilyPodiatry.com

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
    • Foot & Ankle Surgery
    • Geriatric Foot Care
    • Heel Pain
    • Ingrown Toenail
    • Ingrown Toenail Treatment
    • Laser Fungal Nail Treatment
    • Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus
    • Toenail Fungus
    • Wound Care
  • Patients
  • Contact Us
  • News / COVID-19 Updates
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for: March, 2018

Causes of Ingrown Toenails

By Alexandria Family Podiatry
March 07, 2018
Category: Foot Care
Tags: Ingrown Toenails  

Dealing with ingrown toenails rather regularly? Find out what’s going on.ingrown toenails

You were putting your shoes on when ouch! You noticed that the edge of your big toenail is a bit sore and perhaps even a little swollen and red. You could be dealing with an ingrown toenail. If you find yourself dealing with this issue rather regularly then it may have you wondering what could be going on. Our Alexandria and Sterling, VA, podiatrists Dr. Richard Lee and Dr. Steven Lin are here to tell you more.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is when the edge or corner of the toenail grows into the skin. While this can happen to any toenail it most commonly occurs in the big toe. Just looking at the toenail you should be able to see if the corner of the nail is sticking into the skin. Redness, swelling, and discomfort may also result. If there is drainage around the nail or if the skin is warm to the touch, these are signs of infection and you should call our Alexandria and Sterling foot doctors immediately.

What causes an ingrown toenail?

There are many habits that could play into your likelihood of developing an ingrown toenail. Common causes include:

  • Damage or trauma to the nail (this is common if you play sports)
  • Persistent or severe fungal infections of the toenail (it causes the nail to thicken)
  • Improper nail trimming techniques
  • Poorly fitted or tight-fitted shoes

You might be wondering how someone could trim toenails incorrectly; after all, it seems a rather easy habit. However, if you trim your toenails too short or if you trim the nails so they are curved then you are increasing your risk for an ingrown toenail. Trim nails straight across and make sure not to cut them too short.

Also, if you are someone who wears high heels a lot, or wears shoes that bunch up your toes and put pressure on them then you may also find yourself dealing with this issue more often. Make sure you are only wearing shoes that have a wide toe box and that don’t put pressure on areas of your feet.

Alexandria Family Podiatry in Sterling and Alexandria, VA, is here to provide your feet with the care they need to look and feel their best. No matter whether you are dealing with ingrown toenails, bunions, or heel pain, our expert team is here for you.


0 Comment(s) Permalink


April (0) February (0)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2020
      • December (2)
        • Finding Treatment for Toenail Fungus
        • When Should I See a Podiatrist for Bunion Pain?
      • November (1)
        • What Is Athlete's Foot?
      • June (1)
        • How a Podiatrist Can Help Treat Your Heel Pain
      • April (1)
        • Preventing Ingrown Toenails
      • March (1)
        • FAQs about Diabetic Foot Care
      • February (1)
        • The Importance of Caring for Your Feet
  • 2019
      • November (1)
        • Treatment Options for Toenail Fungus
      • August (1)
        • Are You Struggling with Ingrown Toenails?
      • June (1)
        • Do You Have Plantar Fasciitis?
      • April (1)
        • What’s Causing My Heel Pain?
      • January (1)
        • Have Toenail Fungus? We Can Help
  • 2018
      • November (1)
        • What to Do About Your Ingrown Toenail
      • September (1)
        • Why Diabetic Foot Care Is Important
      • July (1)
        • Treatment for Bunions
      • May (1)
        • Treating Heel Pain
      • March (1)
        • Causes of Ingrown Toenails
      • January (1)
        • Treating Toenail Fungus
  • 2017
      • November (1)
        • What You Should Know About Bunions
      • August (1)
        • Achilles Tendon Issues
      • July (1)
        • Common Foot Issues And How We Can Help
      • May (1)
        • Don't Just Ignore Your Heel Pain
      • March (1)
        • Treating Your Ingrown Toenails
      • January (1)
        • Why Do I Keep Getting Blisters?
  • 2016
      • November (1)
        • Do I Have Bunions?
      • September (2)
        • Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus-Before and After Photos
        • How Custom Orthotics Can Help Your Feet
      • July (1)
        • The Importance of Diabetic Foot Care
      • May (1)
        • Ways to Prevent Toenail Fungus and How We Can Help
      • March (1)
        • What Are My Treatment Options For Heel Pain?
      • January (1)
        • When to See Your Podiatrist About an Ingrown Toenail
  • 2012
      • November (1)
        • Kicking Off Canned Food Drive!!
      • October (2)
        • Check out our Fall Newsletter!
        • Feel Pain in your Big Toe? It could be Hallux Limitus. Hallux WHAT??
      • March (1)
        • Laser Nail Treatment for Toenail Fungus
  • 2011
      • December (1)
        • Shoe Shopping
      • November (1)
        • Donate to our Shoe Drive
      • October (1)
        • Laser Nail Treatment Special
      • September (1)
        • Choosing the Right Walking Shoe
      • June (1)
        • How to Get a Safe & Healthy Pedicure
      • May (1)
        • First Time Seeing a Foot Doctor?
      • March (3)
        • Got Funky Toes? Maybe You've Got a Toenail Fungus!
        • Your Changing Feet Over the Years
        • Ouch! Ingrown Toenails!
      • February (1)
        • Love Your Feet!
  • 2010
      • March (1)
        • Welcome to Our Blog!

Tags

  • Ingrown Toenail (2)
  • Foot Care (1)
  • Toenail Fungus (6)
  • Feet (1)
  • Heel Pain (5)
  • diabetic foot care (3)
  • orthotics (1)
  • Bunions (4)
  • Blisters (1)
  • Ingrown Toenails (5)
  • plantar fasciitis (2)
  • Achilles Tendonitis (1)
  • Athlete's Foot (1)
  • Bunion Pain (1)
  • Bunion (1)

Categories:

  • Foot Care (18)
  • Foot Doctor (2)
  • Podiatrist (2)
  • Heel Pain (1)
  • None (4)
  • Foot Conditions (7)

Conditions & Treatments

  • Foot & Ankle Surgery
  • Fungal Nail Treatment
  • Diabetic Care
  • Heel Pain
  • Wound Care
  • Orthotics
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Plantar Warts
  • Geriatric Foot Care
  • Video Archive


Like Us On Facebook
Google Reviews

 

Ask Dr. Lee!Dr. Lee - Podiatrist

Question:  I think I have toenail fungus, but it's only on my big toe and little toe.  Why is this?    

Answer:  Great question! It has to do with tight-fitting shoes and repeated "mini-traumas" to your nail plate.  As you step, your toes repetitively hit the end of your shoes gradually separating the nail plate from the nail bed.  This allows fungus to creep into the nail bed and start growing.  We see fungal nail growth more frequently in a patient's big and little toes because these toes get the most pressure from the sides of tight-fitting shoes and thus they experience mini-traumas more often than the other toes.

Click for more Q & A's
Have a question for our doctors?

Our Location

Alexandria, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
2843 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 823-2357  Fax (703) 823-1572

Email: contactus@alexandriafamilypodiatry.com

Sterling, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 106
Sterling, VA 20166
Phone: (703) 823-2357  Fax (703) 823-1572

Email: contactus@alexandriafamilypodiatry.com

 

Map & Directions

Office Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map